Blades Brown’s comeback during the second round of The American Express wasn’t only impressive — it also was historic. On Friday, Brown carded an eight-under 64, which stats guru, Justin Ray, reported was the lowest score in a PGA Tour round by a player under the age of 18 in the last 40 years.
17-year-old Blades Brown shot 64 today at The American Express.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) January 18, 2025
It's the lowest score in a PGA Tour round by a player under age 18 in the last 40 years.
With his 10-birdie effort, Brown surpassed the three teens who have carded 65s in the last quarter-century. There’s Justin Thomas, who shot a 65 in 2009 when he was just 16; Tony Finau shot a 65 in 2007 at the age of 17; and Ty Tryon, who carded a 65 in 2001 at 17 years old.
Brown is wise beyond his years. When asked what he thought the difference-maker was during his second round, he said that sticking to his process helped, but really it came down to perspective.
“I play golf right now for a living, and I promise you, there are a lot more challenging things than playing golf for a living,” Brown said. “Whether it’s a kid lying in a bed [with] cancer…there’s a lot to be grateful for out here.
“I think keeping it in perspective that you get to play golf for free on an unbelievable golf course and with awesome people. I think just keeping it in perspective definitely helped me today.”
Brown’s lights-out putting also played a significant role in his record-breaking round. In a post-round interview, Brown credited his run of six consecutive birdies on holes 12-17 (he played the back nine first) to his prowess on the greens.
“When I got to three in a row I was like, okay, we got to get the putter in my hand,” he said.
Brown wasn’t being cocky. He just looks at putting differently from many players.
Putting is neither a skill nor a chore to Brown. Instead, he sees it as an art form, and it’s this creativity and passion that makes him so proficient on the greens.
“I just think there’s an art to it,” Brown said, “I’m not an artist, but I’m an artist on the putting green.
“I love to be able to make some putts, because, I mean, that’s the most precise you got to be playing golf, and I just, I love to putt.”
As of this writing, Brown is 11-under through five holes in the third round, four back of co-leaders Justin Lower and Mark Hubbard.
